Kate Beckinsale has been awarded Â£20,000 in libel damages after a newspaper falsely claimed that her career was "in decline".

The Underworld star had sued Express Newspapers following an article in the Daily Express that suggested she had been dropped from a remake of Barbarella.

Speaking at the High Court in London, her lawyer said: "The film industry, particularly at the highest level in Hollywood, values actresses on the basis of them being successful and in-demand - one may say, being 'hot property'.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

"This article wrongly gave the impression that the claimant's career is in decline, which would undoubtedly have a knock-on effect on those who would be casting film roles, as well as the industry as a whole."

He added that Beckinsale had never been in negotiations to appear in the film and could therefore not have been dropped in favour of actress Rose McGowan.

An attorney for Express Newspapers apologised and said that the company was happy to pay Beckinsale's legal fees and damages.